Studies on pigeon pea sterility mosaic disease. VI. Effect of disease on carbohydrate

Abstract

Total carbohydrates were significantly less in virus diseased pigeon pea leaves at all ages below the second leaf than in comparable healthy leaves. While the total carbohydrate content increased with age in healthy plants, no such regular pattern was discernible in diseased leaves. Starch and resin were significantly lower in diseased leaves than in healthy leaves and sucrose levels were not significantly different. Increased levels of reducing sugars and non-fermentable reducing substances were observed in diseased leaves over healthy leaves.